TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) — Two Tippecanoe County men are doing their part to make sure area police officers are protected.

Last summer, friends Shane Weist and Donnie Alexander decided to thank officers for the job they do each day. They decided to start Stand Behind the Shield — a fund to pay for extra safety gear police need while on duty.

After three months of door knocking and phone calls to friends and area businesses, the two raised about $10,000.

The money will be split between Purdue University, Lafayette and West Lafayette police departments as well as the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office.

Weist said it’s the least he could do to help.

“To be able to give back in this way, with everything that’s happening in our world today, I know our local officers are going to be out in the community and have all the safety needs when they go on calls,” Weist said.

Alexander said a cop’s life depends on his or her equipment.

“A lot of time I feel this is a thankless job. We just have to let them know that we appreciate what they’re doing,” Alexander said. “At the end of the day, we want what they want — we just want everybody to be happy and go home healthy and safe.”

According to the West Lafayette Police Department, the money will pay for bulletproof vests and first-aid equipment for its department.

Weist and Alexander plan to continue the fundraising campaign next year.